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[wondering]

Can somebody tell me something about teaching in South Africa, kinds of universities, quality of research and students, living situation, etc?

[Springbok]

It completely depends on what university you are talking about and where.

PhD from SA and taught there.

[to Springbok]

Springbok, can you contact me off-line?

[Ex SA academic]

I agree with Springbok, it depends entirely which university, and which city, you are interested in

[Soon to be ex-SA]

I'm from the UK, early career, and have lived here for a couple of years; I'm now moving on to a new job in the US, though I'm still enthusiastic about SA.

I also agree that everything depends on which SA university you're at, where it is, and also (like anywhere in the world) which department/field you're in. It's difficult to say more without knowing your field and where you're thinking of going to - can you give more details?

In general, I'd strongly encourage any academic to come out to SA to visit for a few months: it's a fascinating place to live and work, and you will get a lot out of the experience. If you're thinking of making a permanent move, then you definitely should visit your prospective institution/department and the relevant city before making a binding decision, especially if you don't have any experience of SA.

[OP]

I don't want to give any identifying details here, but could anyone with SA experience contact me directly off-line?

[Springbok]

I haven't got the time to get involved in some off-line correspondence but here's my take - I spent 4 years in SA and then another four elsewhere in Africa.

OK, firstly, the pay is bad compared to the rest of the world. You can live a good life though at SA standards. Its just when you go back into the real world that everything is expensive.

The crime issue is a real issue and you would have to be smoking crack to move anywhere in Gauteng - including Pretoria. KZN is also ropey (but safer than Gauteng).

Resource-wise the old white unis are streets ahead and some of the old black unis have very poor facilities.

Quite a few of the best SA academics have emigrated.

There is an awful lot of academic in-breeding and insular thinking.

The students at the old white unis are generally better and you will get the best black students at these too. But you also get a lot of privileged (and lazy) white students at these unis.

I would avoid the old black unis unless you are on a charity/missionary thing as the students will be generally poor standard (but often enthusiastic) and you often end up a remedial teacher. There will also be a race thing going on from some of your black colleagues.

Generally, I would say that if you are at the start of your career and your subject is Africa-related then go for it for a couple of years. But publish like crazy whilst there so you can get out.